Unit name | Citizenship and the Greek Polis |
---|---|
Unit code | CLASM0045 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
Unit director | Professor. Fowler |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | Department of Classics & Ancient History |
Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit, which is designed for students of both historical and literary interests, explores the nature of citizenship in 5th and 4th century Athens and relates it to the ongoing debate about citizenship in modern Western societies. Reading a range of texts in translation, we will discuss issues such as the concept of responsible citizenship in ancient and modern society, the connection between citizenship and identity, the function of reputation and appearances in determining citizenship status, and the role played by women in the construction of the male citizen ideal. We will consider how these issues inform and affect great works of ancient literature, and how these works in turn comment on and challenge the ideologies of their contemporary society.
On successful completion of this unit students will have :
contributing to discussion in seminars and producing an essay and a written examination.
10 x 2 hour weekly seminars
One summative essay of 4000 words (1000%). Measures ILOs 1-7
Kymlicka, W. Contemporary Political Philosophy: An Introduction, Oxford University Press 2002.
Aristotle Politics, translated by T.A. Sinclair, revised and re-presented by T.J. Saunders, Penguin edition 1981.
Aeschylus Oresteia translated by Christopher Collard, Oxford World's Classics, 2003.
Sophocles Theban Plays, translated by Meineck and Woodruff, Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. 2003.
Plato The Defence of Socrates, Eutyphro, Crito translated by David Gallop, Oxford World's Classics 1999.
Aristophanes Lysistrata and Other Plays, translated by A. Sommerstein, Penguin edition 1973.